Sojourn ♣ JiKook|VMin

"Ethereal"

-Edited 2026-

Chapter Twenty-Five

"Ethereal"

♣

Jungkook immediately contacted Yoongi and asked him to meet him in the office. He waited patiently, walking back and forth around the room. He checked his usual daily routine, and everything was in place. I guess Taehyung did a good job. Even the concerns of his employees were handled properly. Taehyung had proposed a new set of ideas that even Jungkook hadn't thought of as the CEO of the Jeon Company, so saying he was impressed would be an understatement. Jimin has a thing for leader-types.

"Jungkook?" Yoongi asked uncertainly as he entered the room.

Jungkook looked at him with a smile, confirming his question with a nod. "I don't know how either, so don't ask," he said as he raised his hand to stop him from asking.

Yoongi laughed as he walked toward his boss and pulled him into a brotherly hug, patting his back. "I'm glad you're back!" Yoongi said, genuinely happy that everything was back to normal. "Why do I feel like this has something to do with Taehyung?"

Jungkook raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

Yoongi shrugged. "He sounded different yesterday."

Jungkook hummed. "Anyway, I want you to transfer the money to his bank account—everything he worked for during the past months. He earned it." He said this before turning his back and sitting in his chair.

"Everything?" Yoongi clarified. "What about me? Don't I get anything for fixing all his problems?" he asked jokingly.

Jungkook laughed as he sat down. "You can check your account," he said, and Yoongi stared at him, eyes wide.

"For real?" Yoongi gaped.

"I'm not kidding. Thanks for helping me," Jungkook said with a smile. "Also, I know this isn't part of your job, but—"

"Are you asking about Jimin?" Yoongi interrupted. "He hasn't stepped out of his house for the past three days. However, this Friday he has an important event at the university."

"Ah," Jungkook smiled and nodded. "He's going to perform in a group?"

"No, he's listed as a solo performer," Yoongi informed him.

Jungkook looked at him in surprise. "Really? Wow."

"Should I buy you a ticket? I can still squeeze you into the first row."

Jungkook pondered it for a minute. "No, I won't stay anyway."

"Okay, noted, sir."

Jungkook smiled to himself. He would see Jimin perform for the first time. During the months they were together, Jimin would automatically stop dancing whenever he saw him enter the room. He always said he was shy. That's why finding out Jimin would perform solo made him happy—because finally, Jimin would get to show his true potential.

⸻

Taehyung woke up with a headache. "Ah, fuck," he cursed under his breath. As soon as he sat up, his head spun. He noticed he wasn't wearing a shirt, and his arms weren't tattooed. He gaped at his arms, dumbfounded. Looking around, he realized he was sitting on the floor, paint marks smeared across his upper body and pants. He tried to move, using his hands to push himself up, and then glanced to his side.

An unfinished painting.

"Jimin?"

The subject of the painting was none other than his lover, Jimin. Despite the canvas not being fully painted, he can discern Jimin because he knows his lover's features well. His face quickly turns sour as he examines the canvas. He finds an empty glass of wine on the side, and he hates what he does next.

⸻

The moment Jungkook stepped out of his car, people began giving him looks—perhaps because he was wearing formal attire while his tattoos were exposed beneath his rolled-up sleeves. Yoongi stood behind him as Jungkook started walking toward the school premises. It felt nostalgic, as if he hadn't been here in years, though it had only been a few days since he last stepped foot on campus.

They entered the theater, which was heavily packed with people. "Aish," Jungkook heard Yoongi groan in complaint before stepping in front of him, shielding him and guiding him through the entrance. Jungkook didn't mind the crowd. The program had started hours ago, and the next performer was already on stage. He spotted Hoseok at the center of the dance break.

Once Yoongi noticed a space at the side of the front row, he quickly motioned Jungkook to stand there. Jungkook watched with an amazed expression as Jimin's friend performed on stage. The genre was hip-hop, and Hoseok was on fire.

He glanced at the crowd—they were cheering loudly. Jungkook chuckled, pleased that Hoseok was receiving such positive feedback. When the performance ended, Jungkook clapped as loudly as he could before the performers exited backstage.

He waited patiently as another performer stepped off the stage. "Jimin's up next," Yoongi informed him in a whisper.

Jungkook anticipated the moment, nerves settling into his chest. He wanted to go backstage—to tell Jimin he would do great, to say he would be the highlight of the show. He wanted to comfort him, knowing how nerve-wracking it must be.

His hands grew clammy, and he shoved them into his side pockets. He didn't know how Jimin had been during the days they weren't together. Why am I here? he asked himself. He doubted Jimin would be delighted to see his face.

Jimin's name was called, and silence fell as he walked to the center of the stage. His head was held high as he looked toward the middle of the crowd. He stood there in pure white, moving with a dancer's walk—like an angel. His expression was neutral, but his eyes were intense and serious. The lights focused on him. He posed, and as the music started, he moved in perfect sync with the beat.

Jimin's passion poured through every movement, fluid and expressive. The way he conveyed emotion through dance amazed Jungkook. He was spellbound by how ethereal Jimin looked. His movements were delicate yet strong, precise and impeccable. Jungkook wished he were deserving of someone like him. His heartstrings were pulled tight as he watched every step, every turn.

He was beyond proud of Jimin.

As the music ended, Jimin took a slow turn and fell to the ground gracefully. The crowd erupted the moment he stood, breathing heavily yet flashing a blinding smile. Jungkook knew he must look completely mesmerized as he stared at him. Jimin's eyes swept across the crowd with a small smile, and somehow, their gazes met for a brief second. Jungkook smiled at him—but Jimin averted his eyes before bowing. He exited the stage with elegance.

Jimin looked genuinely happy, and seeing him give his best—holding nothing back—made Jungkook happy too.

"Ah, I missed his performance!" Yoongi said as he jogged toward Jungkook, looking at his friend.

"Did you leave the bouquet?" Jungkook asked.

Yoongi nodded in response.

"Then let's go," Jungkook said. He glanced at the now-empty stage one last time before turning around and leaving.

♣

⸻

Next update: Tomorrow :)